The obstetrics (OB) ward of the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) is on lockdown after 20 patients and watchers acquired coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

BMC director Dr. Hjordis Marushka Celis, however, assured the public that there is no cause for alarm as they are strictly implementing health protocols.

Celis said on Tuesday the lockdown was imposed after some patients were found positive for Covid-19 during a routine swab test to pregnant and high-risk patients last September 11.

She said they immediately stopped admitting patients and locked down the OB and newborn intensive care unit to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We observed 352 individuals. Ito ay mga pasyente, babies, kasama ang mga bantay at pina-swab then inilipat ang iba sa Bulacan Infection Control Center, ‘yung iba dinala sa mga treatment facility ng kani-kanilang local government units (LGUs). Lahat ng nag-negative, nai-coordinate na rin sa mga LGU para iku-quarantine. Pwedeng sa facility o sa bahay, ang mahalaga, monitored (These were patients, babies, along with their watchers. They were swabbed then transferred to the Bulacan Infection Control Center. The others were brought to the treatment facilities of their respective LGUs. All those who got negative results were already coordinated with LGUs for quarantine that can be at the facility or at home. What is important is they are being monitored),” Celis said.

She said because of congestion in the OB ward, there is a high probability of virus contagion.

“The ideal capacity of the OB, including the gynecology (GYNE), and isolation is 82 only, but we have 180 mothers there, imagine three to four patients sharing one bed,” she said.

To date, there are still 63 remaining patients, watchers and babies who are waiting for their LGUs to fetch them.

“Hopefully, in two to three days, masundo na silang lahat para makapagsimula na kaming mag-disinfect and after noon, makapagbukas na ulet at makapagserbisyo sa mga Bulakenyo (they would all be fetched so that we could start disinfecting and after that, we can open again and serve the Bulakenyos),” Celis said.

She also said the BMC is open for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.

Fees for patients with PhilHealth is PHP3,800 and PHP4,800 for non-PhilHealth members.

The Bulacan Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported that as of Monday afternoon, there is a total of 4,389 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 2,618 total recoveries and 90 deaths in the province. (PNA)